As opposed to the styles that would follow from the other 18th-century French kings, Louis XV and Louis XVI, antique Louis XIV furniture is rigid and imposing. It expresses opulence — even its armchairs, with their upright backs, straight legs and lavish ornamentation, look like thrones. Authentic Louis XIV sofas, a then newly emerging iteration of seating, are fully upholstered and often feature decoratively carved frames of walnut, chestnut or oak.
When French King Louis XIV established his royal court at Versailles in 1682, he transformed what was once a hunting lodge into a palace that declared his wealth and power through its design. Until his death in 1715, he reigned with a spirit of excess and absolute political dominance. The “Sun King,” as he called himself, believed that France revolved around him as planets do the sun. Louis XIV adopted the sun as his emblem, decorating the grounds with symbols of the sun and Apollo, the Greek god of the sun. As he stated, “There is nothing that indicates more clearly the magnificence of great princes than their superb palaces and their precious furniture.” He was a child when he became king in 1643, only shaping his style after he became absolute monarch in 1661.
Reflecting trends in French Baroque art, Louis XIV furniture characteristics included exuberant decoration. There were gilded bronze details including shells, suns, grotesques, lions and classical references like acanthus leaves. The years of growth in the country’s manufacturing, such as the tapestries and cabinets made at Gobelins, led to design innovations. The commode replaced the chest as a storage device, with drawers and a surface that could double as a desk.
The materials were luxurious, such as the popular tortoiseshell veneer technique that leading cabinetmaker Pierre Golle used in his designs. André-Charles Boulle, who became royal cabinetmaker in 1672, was a masterful artist of marquetry, using inlays of ebony, exotic woods and mother-of-pearl.
Find a collection of antique Louis XIV bedroom furniture, chairs, tables and other pieces on 1stDibs.
Large French Louis XIV Chandelier in Brass, 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Imposing Louis XIV brass chandelier from France Beautiful look and superb quality decorated with angels and acanthus leaves. Large model Height excluding spade 1m02cm France 1, ...
Brass
Pair of Louis XIV Candlesticks in Pewter, 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant pair of candlesticks in pewter Louis XIV, 18th century Beautiful look and fine quality Beautiful pair of pewter candlestick with a height of 66cm France, 18th century. ...
Pewter
Pair of French 19th C. Hand Tooled Brass Candlesticks
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of French 19th C. hand-tooled brass candlesticks. Size: 12" H x 5" diameter. Nice very heavy handcrafted and hammered with some designs. Great brass decorative art objects.
Brass
Coppia di Medaglioni in Marmo Profili di Papi fine XVII
Located in Pistoia, IT
Pair of marble medallions depicting the profiles of Popes Gregory VIII and Leo IX. Italia, bottega romana, fine XVII-inizi XVIII secolo. Gregorio VIII, nato Alberto di Morra (1100...
Marble
Pair 19th Century French D'ore Bronze and Marble Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair 19th century French D'ore bronze and marble candelabras. The candelabras weigh approximately 40 pounds each.
Marble, Bronze
A Large French Bronze Sculpture "Amalthea & Jupiter's Goat" after Pierre Julien
Located in Tarzana, CA
A large 19th century patinated bronze group titled: "Amalthea and Jupiter's Goat" after Pierre Julien (French 1731-1804) The goddess portrayed as nude but for drapery held across her breasts and falling to her lap, seated on the back of the goat with her right foot raised to rest on a rock outcrop. Signed: Julien Circa 1880. Height: 34" (86.3 cm) Width: 21" (53.3 cm) Depth: 15" (38.1 cm) Pierre Julien's model of Amalthée et la chèvre...
Bronze
Patinated Bronze Vase With Handles Topped With Two-headed Busts 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Patinated bronze vase with handles topped with two-headed busts. Reduction of a vase forming part of the decoration of the North Parterre of the Palace of Versailles. Made in 1665 af...
Bronze
19th Century French Sevres style porcelain comport.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th Century French Sevres style porcelain comport, having scrolling foliate gilded ormolu handles, mouldings and base. The cobalt blue ground with gilt highlight...
Ormolu
18th Century French Louis XIV Wrought Iron Four-Light Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a mantel, console, or dining table with this striking antique French wrought iron candelabra, crafted circa 1780 in the Louis XIV style. Forged by hand, the piece rises from...
Wrought Iron
17th Century Time Clock Cartel Louis XIV André Boulle Marquetry
By Gilles Martinot
Located in Marseille, FR
Pendulum cartel Louis XIV Boulle marquetry seventeenth and bronze Ormolu with its matching pedestal. baby decor mower by Martinot watchmaker in Paris. Good ...
Marine turtle
Pair of turned brass candlesticks, Italy, 17th-18th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Pair of turned solid brass candlesticks, of Italian manufacture, dating from the late 17th to early 18th century. The two pieces are distinguished by a turned frame with alternating ...
Brass
$4,310Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Jacques Laudin ii Enamel Plaques, circa 1665-1729
Located in Faversham, GB
A captivating pair of 17th-century Limoges enamel plaques by Jacques Laudin II of the renowned Laudin family dynasty of enamellers. Entitled ‘Jesus Amabilis’ and ‘Mater Amabilis’ fea...
Enamel
A 19th century marble bust of Corneille van Clève
Located in Wijnegem, BE
Marble bust of Corneille Van Cleve by Jean-Jacques Caffieri, France, 19th century.
Carrara Marble
Large Sevres style comport, circa 1880.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French Sevres style porcelain and pierced gilded ormolu comport. Having a turquoise ground, with gilded highlights and an inset hand painted pan...
Ormolu
Important Cartel in Green Horn Veneer Gille L Aine 18th Century
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Cartel in green horn Veneer Gille L Aine 18th, gilded bronzes and brass inlays chiseled with foliage of flowers and natural patterns. The dial i...
Bronze
Pair of Breccia Marble and Gilt Bronze Cassolettes, France, Mid-19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of breccia marble and gilt bronze cassolettes, France, mid-19th century.
Breccia Marble, Bronze
FRENCH SCULPTOR 17TH CENTURY, Sculpture "Saint Mary Magdalene"
Located in Madrid, ES
FRENCH SCULPTOR 17TH CENTURY, Sculpture "Saint Mary Magdalene" Sculpture from the Louis XIV era in carved wood with a contemporary base 45 x 35 ...
Wood
Pair Of 19th Century Siena Marble & Ormolu Mounted Three Light Candelabra
Located in Dublin, IE
A beautiful pair of 19th century French Sienna Marble and ormolu candelabra, each with three out swept decorative leaf capped candleholders above a central tapering circular marble s...
Siena Marble, Ormolu
$19,799Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Revolving Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful late 19th century French Annular Louis XVI style gilded ormolu revolving mantel clock, depicting putti representing the arts and music, either side of a rotating tole urn...
Ormolu
$6,400Sale Price|20% Off
Pair 17th Century Candlesticks Candleholder Light in Brass Gift Object Antiques
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Pair 17th Century Candlesticks Candleholder Light in Brass Gift Object Antiques. A Very beautiful Simple pair circa 1600’s Louis XIV Period Ca...
Metal, Brass
Table Clock in Patinated and Gilded Bronze from the 18th Century
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Table clock in patinated and gilded bronze from the 18th century with religious scene Size 44 x 25 x 14 cm 1450 euro very good condition.
Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality mid-19th century French Louis XIV st. ormolu clock. The clock is raised by four tapered fluted legs decorated with acanthus leaves. The scalloped shaped c...
Ormolu
Marble and Bronze Clock with Allegory of Astronomy Representing Copernico
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Marble and bronze clock with allegory of astronomy representing Copernico The clock measurements: 60 x 48 x 16 cm and Vases: 28 x 15 x 15 cm ...
Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu candelabras. Each five arm candelabra is raised on a square base with lovely cut corners and a richly cha...
Ormolu
Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze and Rock Crystal Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Louis XIV style gilt bronze and rock crystal sconce by Gherardo degli Albizzi. This seven lights sconce features a gilt bronze backplate and two branches of arms, respectively with f...
Rock Crystal, Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Ormolu Cartel Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and high quality French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu cartel clock. The clock is raised on its original wall mounting stand with a lovely foliate bottom finial ...
Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XIV St. Ormolu Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very fine pair of 19th century French Louis XIV st. ormolu five arm candelabras. Each candelabra is raised on a square base with canted corners flanked by scrolling acanthus leaves...
Ormolu
Late 19th Century 'Sormani' Ormolu Inkwell
By Paul Somani
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th century gilded ormolu desk inkwell, stamped; Sormani, Paris. Having wonderful stylized scrolling foliate and shell like decoration, with a hinged central lid...
Ormolu
Italian 17th Century Louis XIV Period White Carrara Marble Statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent Italian 17th century Louis XIV period, circa 1680 white carrara marble statue of a man and his dog. The striking statue, carved out of one solid marble block, is raised on a rectangular base. The extremely well sculpted statue...
Carrara Marble
Barbedienne French Mantel Clock, circa 1890
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality Louis XVI style French gilded ormolu mantel clock, signed Barbedienne. Having shield and foliate decoration to the top, white enamel roman numerals, a lyre shaped pend...
Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Boulle Boîte À Bijouax, Signed Tahan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XIV st. Boulle Boîte à Bijoux, signed "Tahan - Fournisseur du Roi" (Royal cabinetmake...
Brass
Large Putti Sculpture In Lacquered Wood, Italy, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large sculpture in cream lacquered carved wood, representing 2 putti on a large vase, celebrating a bacchanal: one of them has a head surrounded by a crown of flowers and brandishes ...
Wood
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Ormolu Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most impressive pair of French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu candelabras. Each seven arm candelabra is raised by a triangular base with three delicate tapered flut...
Ormolu
Fine Pair of Louis XIV Style Gilt Bronze Figural Candlesticks, circa 1860
By Etienne Le Hongre
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine pair of Louis XIV style gilt bronze figural candlesticks. French, circa 1860. A fine pair of Louis XIV style gilt bronze figural candlesticks, with stems cast as female...
Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Ormolu Three-Piece Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extraordinary and high quality French 19th century Louis XIV st. ormolu three piece clock and candelabras garniture set. Each raised by square tapered fluted feet with fine acanth...
Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Marble and Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking pair of French 19th century Louis XIV st. black Belgian marble and ormolu candlesticks. Each candlestick is raised by a unique and most elegant black Belgian marble base w...
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu